US Patent No: 7,657,013

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Apparatus and method for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service provider using voice mail

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ALSO PUBLISHED AS: 20080049917
ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)
 

Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

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First Claim

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
INGENIO LLCWILMINGTON, DE56

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Faber, Scott San Francisco, CA 159 1360
Lurie, Steven San Francisco, CA 18 167
Van, der Linden Sean Berkeley, CA 127 974

Cited Art

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Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
INGENIO LLC (1)
8,204,191 Apparatus and method for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service provider using voice mail 2 2009
 
Q TECH SYSTEMS, LLC (1)
7,769,145 Telephone calling interface 0 2004

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
3.5 Year Payment $1600.00 $800.00 $400.00 Aug 2, 2013
7.5 Year Payment $3600.00 $1800.00 $900.00 Aug 2, 2017
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Aug 2, 2021
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 3.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 7.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00